1. Antioch: A Model in Grace(v.22-23)a) They preached Jesus- Jesus... full of grave and truthb) They received Barnabas- "Evidence" of the grace of Godc) They received Saul (Paul)- The Persecutor becomes their Teacher2. Antioch: A Model in Leadership (v. 25-27)a) No one man show- Teamb) Local church and trans-local- Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Eldersc) Today?- A model worth replicating3. Antioch: A Model on Vision (v. 29-30)a) Geography didn't stop them- Scattered and sentb) Culture didn't stop them- Jews, Greeks, Romansc) A Global Vision- Giving... money and leaders

CONVERSION:What is it?How do you get it?Why do you need it?What to do with it after you’ve got itGod Is Who He IsOld School people oppose Him because He is accepting of sinnersModern day people oppose Him because He’s exclusive and doesn’t accept all behavioursResilient & Stubborn FactResurrection of Jesus is historical factAlternative explanations are desperate & found lackingIn ChristWhatever happens to Him happens to usWhatever should happen to us happens to HimALL THINGS ARE NEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Good News AppsNo one is too far goneDon’t be insecure - you are loved by the only one who’s opinion mattersParadise is waiting - you’ll miss out on nothing

1) Baptism in WaterActs 8:12 “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”a) Commissioned by Jesus-Important Part of Christianityb) Connected to Conversion-Delivered and a New Lifec) Costly-Identified with Christ2) Baptism in the Holy SpiritActs 8:14-17 “...they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them... Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”a) Unique Situation?-Samaritans and Jews first time togetherb) 1 or 2 Stage Process?-Catholics, Pentecostals, Evangelicals, other?c) Today? -Repentance & Faith always come first!-Water/Holy Spirit Baptism in different order (Acts 2,8,9 ,10,19)3) Baptism in FireActs 8:20-22 “But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore...""a) Heart Issues-Strongholdsb) God’s Kindness Leads us to Repentance-Grace and Truthc) You and I Today?-Baptism in Water? Spirit? Fire?

1) Good News: Personal ProclamationActs 8:4-5 “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.”a) Intro: Acts 7-8-Stephen/Scattered/Saul/Judea & Samaria/Prophecy Fulfilledb) All Shared-”Preaching” in Everyday Lifec) Multiplication Principle-Unstoppable2) Good News: Public PreachingActs 8:12 “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”a) Preach-Content: A Person... Jesus!b) The Church and Biblical Truth-Confidence in its truth, relevance, and powerc) A Response-Believing leads to Baptism3) Good News: Power & PraiseActs 8:7-8 “For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.”a) Preaching: Demonstration-Kingdom of God, Jesus has all authorityb) Deliverance-Freedom!c) Healing-Heaven on earth

1. Called to reach those who are different from us...v.27 "And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure."a) Demographics have changed!- towards the city, multiple-culturalb) God has placed us where we are- we are ordinary, but we rub shoulders with kings...c) We need to be open to the Holy Spirit- available and willing to go2. Called to leave our comfort zone...v.29 "And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.'"a) Philip got into the chariot- when we choose to get close...b) Perhaps our priorities need to change?- the way we spend our money, timec) The Ethiopian Eunuch needed a guide to help him- we can, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, be the interpreter3. Called to be part of the process...v.35 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus."a) We need not feel we are the sum of the process- we get to join in what God is already doingb) We are partnered with God, in the Holy Spirit- we accept the starting points [God gives us]c) Guilt over the next steps?- God is sovereign

The Story of StephenActs 6:5-7:601. Stephen was like usa. He had experienced salvationb. He was filled with the Holy Spiritc. He was in community with the churchd. He was under God-appointed leadershipe. He did great works as a result2. Stephen was like Jesusa. His death parallels the last days of Jesusb. He was tried by a high priestc. He was condemned by false witnessesd. He was attacked for claiming the Son of Man at God's right hande. He forgave his murderersf. He committed his spirit to God3. Conclusiona. We are inspired by the same Holy Spiritb. We will have many defining momentsc. Our "acts" will require "words"d. The Holy Spirit enables us and gives us strengthe. The Holy Spirit speaks through us

Responding To GrowthActs 6:1-7Introduction:Acts 6:1 "Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”-New Growth, New Problems-Spiritual Issues: prayer and teaching-Practical Issues: administration-Cultural Issues: language, minorities, etc.-Aware of... Persecution, Corruption, Distraction-Solution? Application Today?1) The Priority of Prayer & God’s Word Acts 6:3-4 “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."a) Prayer is vital-Start with Prayer, Model Prayer, Continue in Prayerb) God’s Word is vital-Preaching, Teaching, Ministeringc) Prayer and God’s Word Connected-The Holy Spirit involved in both2) The Necessity of Calling & GiftingActs 6:3 &6 “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty... These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”a) All are called to Ministry-We must believe and apply this truthb) A question of Calling and Gifting -Different Roles and Functionsc) Pastoral and Practical-Both serve God’s people and both need Spirit Filled People3) Acts 6:1-7 and TMP? Acts 6:7 “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”a) Prayer, God’s Word, Preaching-Teaching, and Recognizing Roles-Priority amidst Growth... in our Individual and Church Lifeb) Street Level/Sandwich Run-Pete Chalmers, Kelly Curtis, more help!c) Keep Focused-Result: Word of God spread, Disciples Increased, Obedience